Bee: Arena sales tax hike in deep trouble

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Joe Serna had vision... I think Roger Dickinson has vision. It's just a shame I can only think of one living and one dead prominent Sacramento politicians that meet that description.

Double Amen, VF. Sam Pannell also had vision...but...um...you know the rest. This is just a shame...

 

[Kingzrool]

In the survey of 600 Sacramento County residents taken between Sept. 22 and Sept. 25, 58 percent said they would vote against Measure R, which would raise the sales tax.

only 600??

"Voters have not heard much in terms of campaign messaging," Katz said. "We could still see some movement once the campaign gets rolling."

Geez, I hope so!

Starting Tuesday, Sacramento County television viewers will be bombarded with an ad pitching the arena as more than just a sports and entertainment facility, but rather a key component in a vibrant redevelopment planned for the desolate downtown railyard.

Can't wait

It found one of the campaign's basic building blocks -- convincing voters Arco Arena needs to be replaced -- hasn't even been laid.

You have got to be kidding me!

Nonetheless, they went back to the drawing board and came up with a new arena site plan that they delivered to the Maloofs on Thursday. Thomas said the team is still reviewing it.

Nice that we have not heard about this, hopefully they will keep this behind closed doors while they fight (I mean negotiate) about it.

"Our schools are in bad shape, the roads. I don't think public money should be spent to underwrite millionaires, billionaires, whatever."

At least she knows that they are not billionaires

O'Connor said she believes the yes campaign will have a tough time turning public opinion. The failure of the Maloof family to join the campaign has hurt the effort, she said, and the proponents haven't provided a clear message.

There is still time, I hope that our only clue to them being on board is a contribution to the fund!

Said O'Connor: "People don't vote for things they don't understand."

No doubt.

 

[kennadog]

Maybe I'm missing something. Only 23% said they'd vote to approve a sales tax, but 42% voted to spend the sales tax on an arena. This sounds like 19% of the people polled would vote to spend money on an arena out of a tax they aren't voting to approve? What did I miss?

If that is really what I'm reading, then it seems the poll was not very clear about what they were asking.

 

[Warhawk]

Maybe I'm missing something. Only 23% said they'd vote to approve a sales tax, but 42% voted to spend the sales tax on an arena. This sounds like 19% of the people polled would vote to spend money on an arena out of a tax they aren't voting to approve? What did I miss?

If that is really what I'm reading, then it seems the poll was not very clear about what they were asking.

No, you read it right.

I didn't get polled for this, put I did get called with a push-poll a while back that also had questions (two, I think) about the arena and they were VERY poorly worded if you were hoping for a positive answer.

Ah, here's an article on the poll I replied to:

http://www.egcitizen.com/story14.shtml

Nothing in there about the arena though, just the local races in Elk Grove. Gives you an idea about the slimy nature of the poll, though.

 

[LilMissDiva]

Maybe I'm missing something. Only 23% said they'd vote to approve a sales tax, but 42% voted to spend the sales tax on an arena. This sounds like 19% of the people polled would vote to spend money on an arena out of a tax they aren't voting to approve? What did I miss?

If that is really what I'm reading, then it seems the poll was not very clear about what they were asking.

smells fishy to me too. We must consider who hosted the poll...

 

[kupman]

Do not smell the fish too long. Anyway you slice it, the "pro" is getting killed and it would be the greatest comeback since the '69 Mets if the measures pass.

The percentages make sense to me actually - sadly. Only 23% hope that "Q" passes. If "Q" does pass, less than half the population thinks any of the money should go to arena....i.e the majority would like the 1.2 billion to go to something, anything, other than the arena.

The hardline anti crowd will vote no to both. The semi-anti crowd will vote no to Q, but yes to R. "I do not want a tax increase, but if there is one I think funding an arena is something I could live with."

 

[bringbackbobby]

Yeah, while we're at it, I think we should make the Maloofs personally pay for the cleaning up downtown, expanding the police force, and providing textbooks for the schools. After all, all those billionaires need something to spend their money on, right?

Now that you mention it... I've purchased a few kings tshirts and been to a few games myself... I think that entitles me personnally to something from those rich billionairre playboys! I could sure use a swimming pool... I'm sure they have a rich friend or two that can fit the bill in the name of my continued loyalty. A room edition would be nice also. Great post "love_them_kings".

 

[bringbackbobby]

Lets ask a question. Why are the Maloofs so hell bent on paying for the new arena on the backs of the taxpayers of Sacramento County? Because they know that if they pay for it they are going to loose money. So they have signed up to try and get as much corporate wellfare as they can.
I get pissed off when I am in the check out line at the safeway and watch a person use food stamps(no big deal people need help) except then when I see them in the parking lot they get into a new $50,000.00 SUV. Open your eyes people the Maloofs are here for their best intrest and they dont care about Sacramentans.

What are you talking about? Who here is suggesting that the Malloofs aren't negotiating this deal with their own best interest at heart? No one. Of course they are... they are business men. They are in the business of entertainment and they are pretty good at it. I don't expect to get something for nothing, and neither should you. Sacramento is a small market... which means few big corporate sponsorships, which means if we want them to stay we need to pitch in. I don't claim to know what the "books" of MSE look like but from what I understand, they aren't makeing much money from the Kings/Monarchs franchises. Is there anyone that has information to the contrary? If that's true, then the fact that they are billionaires is irrelevant. Building a new arena won't make the Sacramento market any bigger. Their profits won't expand exponentially from a new arena... modestly maybe, but not exponentially, so it would be a bad business decision for them to sink a bunch of money into a new arena.

On the other hand... Sacramento will improve greatly for all the reasons already hashed out... (new entertainment facility, revitalize downtown, increase jobs/businesses, etc. etc. etc.) so it doesn't seem that far off that Sacramento and those that stand to benefit from it, help to fit the bill with A QUARTER CENT SALES TAX!

 

[Kingzrool]

Nice post.

If that's true, then the fact that they are billionaires is irrelevant.

They are not billionaires.

I have heard that they have lost $$ 4 or 5 of the 7 years that they have been here. Anyone know what the wash over all years is? (I doubt that it is public info). Clearly they want a deal that will not have that same ratio for the next 30 years. Playboy Billionare Pigs I tell you!

 

[kennadog]

I've heard they've lost money 4 or 5 of the 8 years they've owned the team. They opened the books to the Bee twice over the years, so it is somewhat public info.

By the way, the Maloofs are projecting losing money 15 out of the 30 years of the lease.

And Kingzrool is right. They are not billionaires.